Qing Ming Jie (variant Ching Ming) is All Soul's Day for the Chinese. Qing Ming means "clear and bright", probably a reference to the weather at the time of the year of the festival - the third lunar month or early spring, usually on 5 April or 106 days after the ...

Amber Road is an L-shaped road that connects the junction of Haig Road and Mountbatten Road to Tanjong Katong Road. The road was named after Amber Elias, an early 20th-century property owner. Popular landmarks on this road include the Chinese Swimming Club.

The Anglican Diocese of Singapore was established in 1909 to serve the needs of a growing Anglican community. It has been a pioneering force in the fields of education, medical work and community service. The Cathedral church of the Diocese, St Andrew’s Cathedral, ...

Arab Street, lies between Victoria Street and Beach Road in the Kampong Glam area, located in the Rochore Planning Area of the Central Region in Singapore. Sir Stamford Raffles designated the Kampong Glam area as the most appropriate area for Arabs in Singapore ...

The Armenians, at their height in 1880s, numbered no more than 100 families, making it one of the smaller ethnic communities established in Singapore. However their size belies the rich contribution they have made in the historical formation of modern Singapore. ...

The Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) is a community self-help group that was established on 10 October 1991. Its vision is to be a model Muslim minority community with the aim of helping the Muslim community in Singapore. AMP is an affiliate of the National ...

Ayam buah keluak is a mainstay of Peranakan cuisine. Made with chicken (ayam) braised in a thick, spicy tamarind gravy with buah keluak nuts, it is usually served with rice.

Badang, a Malay legendary folk hero, was renowned for his mighty physical strength. There are variations to this legend but most of them have their setting in ancient Singapore. The stone featured in the legend is fabled to be the ancient stone slab found at the ...

Bahau Settlement was an agricultural settlement set up at Bahau in the Malayan state of Negri Sembilan during the Japanese Occupation. The settlement was set up under a self-sufficiency scheme initiated by the Japanese authorities to ease the food supply problem ...

Bak kut teh, also known as pork rib soup or rou gu cha (肉骨茶), is a popular Chinese dish in Singapore. It consists of pork ribs stewed with a mixture of fragrant herbs and spices such as garlic, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds and coriander. In reference ...

Bak kwa, also known as rou gan (肉干), is a dried savoury sweetmeat which traditionally takes the form of thin square slices and is usually made from pork. Bak kwa and rou gan mean “dried meat” in Hokkien and Mandarin, respectively. It is also sometimes referred ...

Several varieties of beef noodles exist in Singapore, but the term usually refers to a soup-based dish made of kway teow (flat rice noodles) topped with some form of beef such as thinly sliced lean beef, tripe, innards or home-made beef balls. The beef stock is ...

Bendemeer House or formally called the House of Whampoa, located off Serangoon Road was a significant mansion designed and built in 1840 by one of Singapore's pioneers, millionaire ships' chandler and Kapitan China ("leader of the Chinese people"), Hoo Ah Kay better ...

Betel chewing (known in colonial days as betel-nut chewing) requires 3 different plants used in combination, namely, the betel nut which is the seed of the areca palm, the betel leaf which comes from the pan plant and lime juice. Originating from India, this addictive ...

The Bukit Brown Municipal Cemetery, located between Lornie Road and Mount Pleasant Road, was officially opened on 1 January 1922. Previously a 211 acre of land that belonged to the Hokkien Ong clan, the Municipality had acquired a section of it in 1918-1919 to ...

The Cantonese community formed about 15% of the Chinese population in Singapore in the 2000 population census, making it the third-largest Chinese subgroup in the country. The Cantonese have their roots in the Guangdong (Canton) province of China and were among ...

Charles Joseph Pemberton Paglar (b. 1 September 1894, Alor Gajah, Perak - d. 9 December 1954, Singapore), surgeon, member of the Legislative Council, philanthropist, and sports patron, was a prominent Eurasian leader. During the Japanese Occupation, he was coerced ...

Chesed-El Synagogue, located at Oxley Rise, is one of the two synagogues that are currently in use in Singapore. It was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell of Swan & Maclaren and completed in 1905. Its name, Chesed-El, means “bountiful mercy and goodness of ...

Chilli crab is a popular seafood dish among locals and foreigners in Singapore and consists of mud crabs deep-fried in a sweet, savoury and spicy gravy. It has been referred to in various food publications as Singapore’s national seafood dish or even Singapore’s ...

China Street connects Cross Street to the junction of Pickering Street and Church Street. Located in Chinatown, the street probably makes reference to the ancestral homeland of Chinese Singaporeans. The street was notorious in the past for its gambling dens and ...

Chinatown, estate, a great part located in the Outram area in the Central Region. In his 1822 master "Town Plan", Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles had envisaged the Chinese people to form the bulk of the future town dwellers and allocated the whole area west of the ...

For the Chinese, the family is regarded as the primary unit of society. A birth within the family therefore holds special significance for the community and is associated with a number of birth rituals. Although traditional birth observances have largely given ...

The Chinese Christian Association (CCA) was established in October 1889 and existed for more than half a century. The CCA organised religious activities like Bible classes alongside secular activities such as debates, lectures and drama and reading clubs. Through ...

Various cakes, fruits, sweetmeats and nuts are offered during the Chinese New Year celebrations. They are served because their names are a play on words, often having a double-meaning as a blessing on this auspicious occasion in a particular Chinese dialect.

The celebrations of Chinese New Year stretch over 15 days and begin with preparations of up to one month prior to the start of celebration.

Chinese New Year celebrations have specific rites and rituals with strict prohibitions and taboos.

The Chinese Post Office Riots of 15 December 1876 refer to a violent protest by the local Chinese community to demolish a new post office established by the colonial government to handle letters and remittances sent to China. The perpetrators of the riots were ...

Chinese wedding customs and their details generally vary according to dialect group. Although modernisation has resulted in the simplification of traditional marriage rituals, a Chinese wedding is often not considered complete until the couple have performed the ...

Chingay is an annual street parade held in Singapore as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations. The term “Chingay” is derived from the Chinese term zhuangyi, meaning “the art of masquerading”, a reference to the original stages or floats depicting religious and ...

Chomp chomp, the popular name for the Serangoon Gardens Food Centre, is located at Serangoon Gardens. It has become a landmark in Serangoon Gardens estate because of the good food offered at many of the stalls.

Christmas is a Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, whom the Christians believe to be the Messiah and Saviour of the world. Although it has its origins in pagan rites, its meaning and value has always been linked to the Christian faith. In ...

Numerous rites and rituals associated with Christmas which have been handed down through the ages have been adopted by Asians and Singaporeans in an odd mixture. Aside from Christmas trees, gift exchanging, Christmas greetings sent through cards and the inevitable ...

The Church of the Holy Family, on Chapel Road in Katong, was built in 1932 and became the centre of activity for the Catholic community in East Coast. The church's beginnings were humble, starting off with a group of four families gathering at the home of the LaSalle ...

Mr Ayakannu Marithamuthu was murdered on 12 December 1984 at the Orchard Road Presbyterian Church and his body cooked in curry before being disposed of. The case became popularly known as the "Curry Murder".

A curry puff is a deep-fried, crescent-shaped pastry filled with curried potato and meat. The origins of this snack are uncertain and attributed variously to the influences of the British Cornish pasty, the Portuguese empanada and the Indian samosa.

David Elias Building, built in 1928, is situated at the junction of Short Street and Middle Road. The building's most prominent feature is a logo of a six-pointed Star of David fixed atop the building.

Deepavali also known as Diwali, literally means "row or garland of lights". Locally, it has been called "The Festival of Lights". It is symbolic of victory of good over evil, celebrated by most Hindus the world over. It highlights the victory of Lord Krishna, one ...

Dondang Sayang is a form of singing poems, an art accompanied by its own unique orchestra. Dondang Sayang, translated from Malay means "melody of love". Originating from the Malay community, it has been adopted by the Peranakans as an integral expression of their ...

The Dragon Boat Festival, Duan Wu Jie, Duan Yang meaning the "Upright Sun" or "Double Fifth", Fifth Month Festival (common name amongst the Chinese), a Chinese festivity tracing its origins to Southern China, falling on the fifth day of the fifth month around the ...

The Dragon Dance is a Chinese dance usually performed during the Chinese New Year to bring in good luck and prosperity. The dragons used in these dances are usually made up of sections of bamboo frames draped with silk. Performers are martial artists or acrobats ...

The early Straits Chinese associations and clubs were not only meeting places for the peranakan community but served as an educational platform and political voice of the local community.

Easter is celebrated on a Sunday between March 22 and April 28. Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and thus his victory over death. Easter Sunday celebrations include an elaborate build-up of festivities that cover 40 days of Lent and a whole ...

John Edwin Tessensohn (b. 8 April 1855, Malacca – d. 26 September 1926, Singapore), better known as Edwin Tessensohn, was a prominent citizen in colonial Singapore who led the Singapore Recreation Club as president for 25 years and helped establish the Eurasian ...

Endau Settlement was an agricultural settlement set up at Endau in the Malayan state of Johore during the Japanese Occupation. The settlement was set up under a self-sufficiency scheme initiated by the Japanese authorities to ease the food supply problem in Singapore. ...

Eu Tong Sen Street begins from a stretch of road formed by the meeting of two roads, Jalan Bukit Merah and Kampong Bahru Road, and ends at the junction of Hill Street, Fort Canning Rise and Coleman Street. An artery of the Chinatown hub and a shopping haven, the ...

This is a rather unusual community dispute, prolonged and convoluted, so much so it generated much media attention. As many as seven families in the Joo Chiat street were involved, with the police, lawyers, the courts and even an MP being drawn into the disput ...

Fasting is the third of the five pillars of Islam. It comes after professing the oneness of God and accepting Prophet Mohammed as the Messenger. After fasting come paying the zakat or "tithe" and performing the haj or the pilgrimage, if that particular Muslim ...

Feng Shui literally translates as "wind and water". It is a study of man's position in the environment combining the fields of astronomy, geography, ecology, architecture, psychology and aesthetics.

Firecrackers are called phow chook in Chinese meaning "bamboo explosions". In ancient China, bamboo stems were burnt to create small explosions in order to drive away evil spirits. In later times, the lighting of firecrackers signalled a joyous occasion and became ...

Staged on 10 August 1988, Kuo Pao Kun's "Mama Looking For Her Cat" was Singapore's first multi-lingual play. Performed by the Practice Theatre Ensemble (PTE), the play harps on the theme of Singapore's multiracial, multicultural and multilingual society, brought ...

Fish head curry is a spicy curried dish made using a fish's head. The dish is peculiar to Singapore, mixing the spices of a typical South Indian fish curry with the fish head, a delicacy amongst the Chinese.

Fook Tet Soo Khek Temple, better known as Wang Hai Da Bo Gong Miao, is located at the foot of Mount Palmer at Palmer Road (off Shenton Way). It is one of the earliest Chinese temples and the oldest Hakka institution established in Singapore.

Fried Hokkien prawn noodles, known locally as Hokkien mee, is a dish comprising thick yellow noodles fried in a rich prawn stock and served with chilli and lime on the side. Although there are various accounts of its origins, it has become a popular local dish ...

Gasing, or top spinning, is a traditional game popular among Malays in the olden days. In rural areas, gasing contests were held during the rice-ripening season. Kampung folks believed that the spinning tops would help bring good harvest.

On the morning of 6 January 1979, four children from the Tan family were violently murdered in their Housing Development Board flat. The four children, aged between 5 to 10 years old, were found hacked and slashed to death in the bathroom of their one-room flat ...

The Gunong Sayang Association, also known as Persatuan Gunong Sayang, is a Peranakan social club that has been instrumental in preserving the art form of dondang sayang, the singing of Malay poetry. The Association aims to create an awareness of Peranakan culture ...

Sayyid Noh bin Sayyid Mohamad bin Sayyid Ahmad Al-Habshi (b. 1788, enroute to Penang - d. 1866, July 27, Telok Blangah, Singapore), more popularly known as Habib Noh, is regarded as one of the seven wali (saints) in Singapore because of the many miracles attributed ...

Hainanese chicken rice is succulent steamed white chicken, cut into bite-size pieces served on fragrant rice with some light soy sauce, topped with sprigs of coriander leaf, sesame oil, and accompanied by a delicious garlic-chilli dip.

The Hainanese community formed the fifth-largest Chinese subgroup in Singapore - at 7% of the Chinese population - in the 2000 population census. The early Hainanese immigrants in Singapore found a niche for themselves in the service sector, working as cook boys, ...

Hainanese mutton soup (yang rou tang in Mandarin) is a herbal soup made with mutton, herbs and other ingredients. Traditionally, goat meat is used to make this dish. Its flavours are derived from the meat and more than ten kinds of herbs as well as fermented beancurd. ...

The Hakka community is one of the largest Chinese subgroups in Singapore. According to the 2000 Singapore census, the Hakkas were the fourth-largest Chinese dialect group and made up 8% of the Chinese population. Originating from southern China, the Hakkas were ...

Hari Raya Haji, or the "pilgrimage festival", commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in an act of obedience to God. In Singapore, Hari Raya Haji is a public holiday.

The festival of Eid, known in Singapore as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa, falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Hijrah (Islamic) calendar. It is a celebratory occasion following a month of fasting, which is known as Ramadan. Hari Raya ...

The Hokkien community is the largest Chinese dialect group in Singapore. According to the 2000 Singapore census, Hokkiens constituted 41% of the Chinese population in the country. The Hokkiens here trace their origins to the Fujian province in China. One of the ...

Hokkien prawn noodle soup is a popular local dish made up of Hokkien mee (thick yellow noodles) in a broth of pork bones and prawn stock made from prawn heads and shells, and garnished with bean sprouts, slices of pork and prawn, and kangkong (water convulvus). ...

The Hokkien-Teochew Riots, also known as the Great Riots of 1854 or the Five Catties of Rice Riots, began on 5 May 1854. The riots stemmed from conflicts between the Hokkien and Teochew communities in Singapore. Several accounts have suggested that secret societies ...

A hongbao or ang-pow (angpao) is a gift of money inserted into a red packet. Red is considered a symbol of luck, life and happiness. They are given as a token of good wishes during auspicious occasions such as during Chinese New Year celebrations and at weddin ...

Hongkong Street is a one-way road leading from South Bridge Road to New Bridge Road. It is named after the island city of Hongkong.

In many Indian Hindu families today, traditions and customs still play an important role in life. Indian weddings, for instance, consist of many traditional customs and ceremonies which the bride and bridegroom and their families have to go through before and on ...

The origin of the Jewish community in Singapore can be traced to a census dated 1830 which records the presence of nine traders of the Jewish faith in Singapore. However, it is uncertain if any of these traders actually settled in Singapore because in 1833, only ...

Joo Chiat is an area in the east of Singapore known for its multicultural heritage. Its name derives from a number of roads in the area named after plantation owner and philanthropist Chew Joo Chiat. In the early 20th century, significant Peranakan and Eurasian ...

Kambing soup or sup kambing is a spicy broth of mutton soup, traditionally made of goat meat that is cut into bite-sized chunks and stewed in spices, then served hot with toasted bread on the side. This dish is associated with the Indian Muslim community and is ...

Kampong Glam (c.1830 Campong Gelam), estate, one of 10 sub-zones of the Rochore area located in the central region. Kampong Glam covers 56 acres of land located to the east of the 19th century European town in Singapore, between the Rochore River and the sea. On ...

Karikal Lane is a short stretch of road that connects St. Patrick's Road and East Coast Road. Named after the South Indian town Karikal, the road is parallel to Still Road.

Kasut manek (sometimes spelt kasut manik or known as kasut manek manek) are beaded slippers made and worn by Peranakan women as a part of their traditional costume. Kasut manek makers mainly operated from their homes. They were popular around the Katong area. Today, ...

Kolam which means "beauty" are floor drawings made of coloured flour and are used for ornamental or ceremonial design during Indian festivities. In Northern India, it is known as rangoli.

Kreta Ayer Road, a one-way road in the heart of Chinatown, connects Neil Road to New Bridge Road. The road is historically important as it was the prosperous half, the 'greater town district', of 19th century Chinatown.

Kuih tutu is a small steamed cake made of finely pounded rice flour and filled with either ground peanuts or grated coconut. Thought to be Chinese in origin, kuih tutu is believed to be unique to Singapore.

Laksa is a bowlful of noodles in a unique soupbase which blends the Chinese and Malay styles of cooking. There are 2 distinct types of laksas namely, the tamarind-based assam laksa and the coconut-based laksa lemak, although there are many variations of these ...

Lim Chwee Chian (b. 8 February 1864 - d. 12 February 1923) was a merchant and philanthropist, and also a known leader of the Ngee Heng Kongsi (a Chinese secret society) in Singapore. He founded the Ee Hoe Hean Club and was active in social and community activities ...

The Lion Dance is a pugilistic performance dating back to more than 1,500 years. Its performance during auspicious occasions such as the launch of new buildings, offices and shops is believed to bring good fortune and wealth. The Lion Dance is also performed during ...

Several Malay villages that used to exist in the northern part of Singapore, from Kranji through Woodlands to Yishun. The villages were Kampong Jalan Mata Ayer, Kampong Wak Hassan, Sungei Seletar villages, Kampung Wak Selat and Kampong Lorong Fatimah.

Malay weddings are grand affairs where the couple is treated as royalty. Weddings are usually spread out over several days, starting with the Henna-staining ceremony, followed by the Nikah ceremony and ending with the Bersanding, which is the actual wedding da ...

Mandalay Villa, on Amber Road, was built in 1902 by a prominent businessman of the Peranakan community, Lee Cheng Yan. This beautiful bungalow with a fanciful facade was well known for parties thrown by Lee Cheng Yan's daughter-in-law, Mrs Lee Choon Guan, which ...

Mandarin Orange (Citrus reticulata), tropical and sub-tropical tree belonging to the family Rutaceae whose fruit is popular. Associated with good fortune by the Chinese, it is a significant feature of local Chinese New Year celebrations. The fruit is high in Vitamin ...

Maria Bertha Hertogh a.k.a. Nadra bte Maarof (sometimes spelt Natra) (b. 24 March 1937, Tjimahi, Java, Indonesia - d. 8 July 2009, Huijbergen, Netherlands) was the central focus of racial riots in December 1950, sparked off by controversy over her custody between ...

Maxwell Road Food Centre, originally called Maxwell Market, located in Tanjong Pagar, along Maxwell Road, is a popular hawker centre within the Central Business District (CBD) area. It is known not only for its cheap dishes but also for unique Chinese meals seldom ...

Mee goreng is a dish primarily of fried noodles that is associated with South Indians but remains unique to this region. It incorporates a mix of Chinese, Indian, European and Malay flavours. It takes the yellow egg noodles from Chinese cuisine, spices and mutton ...

Mee rebus is a dish comprising Chinese egg noodles in thick, spicy gravy. Reflecting the multicultural mix of Malaya, the dish contains spices from the Malaya Peninsula and was originally peddled by Indian Muslim migrants.

Mee siam is a dish of bee hoon (rice vermicelli) with a unique sweet and tart gravy. Some believe that the name of the dish refers to Siam, the old name for Thailand, and that the dish is influenced by Thai cuisine, while others believe that the dish is Malay or ...

Mohamed Eunos bin Abdullah (b. 1876, Singapore? – d. 12 December 1933, Singapore) was considered one of the most notable nationalist intellectuals in the 1920s. He has been touted as the "father" of modern Malay journalism and a leader for Malay nationalism. He ...

On the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, many Chinese celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie) also known as the Mooncake Festival or the Festival of Lanterns (Yuanxiao).

The Mosque Building Fund (MBF) was established in 1975 as a means of gathering funds for the building of mosques in new public housing estates. After the formation of the Mendaki Foundation in 1984, the MBF was integrated with the Mendaki Fund and renamed the Mosque ...

A South Indian restaurant famous for its fish head curry served on banana leaves. Established in 1969 at Race Course Road, it had expanded from a self-manned stall to a swanky restaurant that provides dine-in as well as catering services for big events.

Naan is a teardrop-shaped bread, baked in a tandoor or oven and served with various curries.

Nasi lemak is a dish that comprises rice made fragrant with coconut cream and pandanus leaves. A light meal that is believed to be Malay in origin, it is traditionally accompanied by fried anchovies, sliced cucumbers, fried fish known as ikan selar, and a sweet ...

Nasi ulam is Malay for "rice" (nasi) with a whole variety of local greens. These greens comprise vegetables, herbaceous plants, edible wild plants, shoots, leaves, and stems.

National Loyalty Week took place between 3 and 10 December 1959. It commenced with the installation of Yusof Ishak as the first Malayan-born Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Head of State) Yusof Ishak was officially appointed to the role by the Queen of England

National registration for pink and blue Singapore identity cards (ICs) began on 9 May 1966. The first identity card to be developed after Singapore’s separation from Malaysia, it was introduced due to improved anti-forgery security technologies and

New Bridge Road, a one-way road, begins from the junction of Hill Street, River Valley Road and the Promenade, and ends at the junction of Eu Tong Sen Street and Kampong Bahru Road. Built in 1842, it is named after Coleman's New Bridge which was constructed over ...

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is held from the first to the ninth day of the ninth lunar month among Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. It begins with the welcoming of the gods into the temple where they are to be worshipped for nine days, and ends when the ...

Old Chang Kee is a food retail chain best known for its Hainanese-style curry puffs, which were first sold in 1956. The business was bought over and revamped in 1986, and has since expanded to a chain of over 70 outlets in Singapore located in shopping malls, petrol ...

Orang Laut, or "Sea People" refer to sea nomads and sea gypsies. They were one of the earlier immigrants who inhabited along the coastline of Singapore island during pre-colonial days. The community typically lived off a long dwelling boat, known colloquially as ...

Singapore's first Malay orchestra, the Orkestra Melayu Singapura (OMS) was set up by the People's Association (PA) in September 1991. Formed to preserve and promote Malay music in Singapore, the OMS is the only orchestra in Singapore to combine modern and traditional ...

Otak-otak, of Malay and Nyonya origins, is a blend of raw fish, chopped onions, coconut milk, herbs and spices bound together with egg. The puree is wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled over an open charcoal fire and served usually as an accompaniment to a meal ...

The Overseas Chinese Association was formed in March 1942 during the Japanese occupation of Singapore. The association was formed at the direction of the Japanese military authorities to mediate between the authorities and the local Chinese community. However, ...

Pagoda Street, in Chinatown, links New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road. Popular for its Jamae Mosque and Sri Mariamman Temple, the whole of Pagoda Street, along with a portion of Trengganu Street, is currently a pedestrian mall.

The first Chingay organised by the People’s Association (PA) in Singapore was held on 4 February 1973. This event was a joint effort between the People’s Association and the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation to celebrate Chinese New Year. The

The Parsi Association in Singapore was established and registered on 29 May 1954 with Mr. P.M. Framroz as its first President. Membership of the Association is open to all Parsi-Zoroastrians resident in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei. The ...

The Parsi Lodge Charity is the name given to a charitable Trust Endowment which was created in 1829, primarily "to furnish a burial ground for Parsis". The Trust today consists of a building, the Parsi cemetery and investments in bonds and fixed deposits.

The Pondok Peranakan Gelam Club is a community club for the Bawean Malay community. Established on 4 April 1932, the organisation served as a communal home for Baweanese immigrants from the 1930s to the 1960s. Originally located at 64 Club Street, it moved to its ...

Ponggal or Pongal also known as Makara Sankranti is celebrated in mid-January by South Indians as a festival marking the rice harvest. Ponggal, a mixture of sweet boiled rice is made and offered to Surya, the Sun God. The name is derived from the Tamil word pongu, ...

Popiah (also spelt Poh Piah), Teochew for "thin pancake", is a thin paper-like crepe or pancake wrapper stuffed with a filling made of cooked vegetables and meats. When deep fried, the crispy roll is known as a spring roll, but if left raw it is known as popia ...

Pulau Seking (also spelt Sekeng, Sakeng), island is located south of Pulau Bukom to the south of Singapore. Except for land reclamation, the island is not developed, and still has its original kampung with a community centre and school. This island comes within ...

Putu mayam is a South Indian snack of rice flour noodles, steamed and eaten with sweetened toppings such as desiccated coconut, gula Melaka (palm sugar) or biji sawi (mustard seed). South Indian in origin, these string hoppers are served either as a breakfast item ...

Putu piring is a type of round, steamed rice cake with a centre of melted palm sugar. A Malay adaptation of an Indian dish, it is a popular local snack.

Rendang is a popular dish of meat stewed in coconut milk and spices, commonly found in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. It has a long history in the region with distinct versions unique to individual Malaysian states that use different ingredients for the rempah ...

Rojak is a local salad of mixed vegetables and fruits, drizzled with a sweet, sour sauce made up of local prawn paste, sugar and lime. Rojak in Malay means "mixed", but the dish exemplifies the cultural diversity of Singapore, including Chinese and Malay elements ...

Roti John is a local dish consisting of the sliced halves of a French loaf fried with a topping of minced mutton, sliced onions and egg. The dish is unique to the Malay Peninsula, with its origins linked to the resident English, Malay and Indian communities. Literally ...

The Roti prata (pratha) is a round pancake, often eaten with mutton or fish curry. It is sold mostly by Indian Muslims at coffeeshops and hawker centres and often costs anything between 60 to 80 cents. To many, it serves as a staple food for breakfast, lunch and ...

Located in the nasi padang belt of the famous Kandahar Street in Kampong Java, Sabar Menanti is a well-loved Malay restaurant serving authentic Minangkabau dishes. The restaurant is aptly named, for in English, Sabar Menanti means “wait patiently”, which one has ...

Sago Lane, a one-way road, connects South Bridge Road to Banda Street. The street got its name from the many sago factories that used to be there in the 1840s. A part of Chinatown, Sago Lane was also known for the Chinese "death houses".

Satay (spelt sate in Indonesian) is made of cubed meat, skewered kebab-fashion, then grilled and eaten with a peanut sauce dip. Tracing its origins to the Arabs, the satay has been adapted to the multi-cultural palates of Asians with various spicy sauces and different ...

The Satay Club was an open-air food centre filled with hawkers selling satay, a popular local food. It was located at the Queen Elizabeth Walk and was demolished in 1995 to make way for the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay and the Nicoll Highway extension. The Satay ...

Sepoys were Indian soldiers employed within the European military garrisons. They provided the much-needed manpower for the defence of European conquests in Asia. The word "sepoy" comes from the Hindi word sipahi which means "soldier". Sepoys played an important ...

The Seven Maiden's Festival (Qi Qiao Jie, Chi' Chiao), the seventh day of the seventh month, revolves around the mythological love story between a cowherd and a weaving lady. There are many love stories related to this festival. This article gives a brief description ...

Shaikh Yahya bin Ahmed Afifi (b. 1891, Mecca - d. 1940, July 12, Singapore) was a Municipal Commissioner representing the Singapore Ratepayers’ Association. He was also made Justice of Peace for his active involvement in the Arab community.

Singapore Fashion Festival was first launched on 16 March 2001. The annual two-week long festival is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) with the aim of making Singapore a fashion capital within the Southeast Asian region. Its programme highlights include ...

The Singapore Futsing Association was set up in 1910 with 1200 members. Their members comprised mainly of Chinese Singaporeans from the Hockchia dialect group. There are approximately 30,000 Chinese Singaporeans who are Hockchia.

The Singapore Indian Association was formed in 1923 with its main premises at Short Street. The Association was very active in sports. Cricket and hockey were its fortes in the late 1950s, with many of its members representing Singapore in regional and international ...

The Singapore Indian Education Trust (SIET) is an Indian community trust fund supporting the education of local Indians, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It was set up on 31 December 1967 with trade unionist Govindasamy Kandasamy ...

The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) is a non-profit cultural organisation, dedicated to the preservation and transmission of Indian culture through the arts. Its motto is: Kala Samskriti Lakshanam, meaning "art characterises civilisation". SIFAS provides ...

The Singapore Poh Leung Kuk or "office to protect virtue" was established by the Chinese Protectorate in 1888. Officially known as the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, it began as a haven for suspected victims of forced prostitution and prostitutes ...

Singapore River communities were people living by or around the Singapore River. In ancient times Singapore known as Temasek, was a fishing village. The Orang Laut ("Sea-Gypsies"), were the earliest known inhabitants here; and later in the early 1800s, Temenggong ...

The Singapore Sling is an internationally recognised cocktail created at Raffles Hotel in 1915 by Bar Captain Ngiam Tong Boon.

Oehlers, Sir George Edward Noel (b.1 April 1908, Singapore - d.27 October 1968, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), better known as Geno Oehlers, was the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Singapore. Oehlers was in several significant civic posts such as Municipal ...

Manasseh Meyer (Sir) (b. 1846, Baghdad, Iraq - d. 1 July 1930, Singapore) was a pioneer Jewish businessman who was responsible for the building of Maghain Aboth Synagogue at Waterloo Street and Chesed-El Synagogue at Oxley Rise. A key figure in the early Jewish ...

Smith Street lies between South Bridge Road and New Bridge Road, located at the centre of Chinatown. It is well known for its good eats and unique Chinese produce sold there. The street is believed to be named after Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, Governor and High Commissioner ...

Soup tulang or bone soup is a dish consisting of mutton or beef bones stewed in a sweet and spicy red soup of mutton stock, tomatoes, ginger, chillies and spices. The dish is prized for the marrow contained in the bones. Although associated with the Indian Muslim ...

Spring Street, a short one-way road, connects the junction of South Bridge Road and Neil Road to Banda Street. A water source used to be located here from which water was drawn and transported by bullock carts to different parts of early 20th century Singapore ...

The Straits Chinese British Association (SCBA) was one of the many early Straits Chinese clubs. It was founded on 17 August 1900 by Tan Jiak Kim, Seah Liang Seah, Lim Boon Keng (Dr) and Sir Song Ong Siang, serving as a voice for Straits-born Chinese. It was the ...

Founded in January 1885, the Straits Chinese Recreation Club (later renamed as the Singapore Chinese Recreation Club) was the first club to offer English games like cricket, lawn tennis and athletic sports to the Chinese community. Its founding members were Koh ...

Telok Ayer Street extends from Market Street to Anson Road. Telok Ayer was designated a Chinese district by Raffles in 1822 and gained prominence in the 1820s because it served as the landing ground for the early immigrants. This also led to a concentration of ...

Temple Street is a one-way street connecting South Bridge Road to New Bridge Road. It is flanked on either side by and runs parallel to Pagoda Street and Smith Street. Its name was derived from the Sri Mariamman Temple located nearby. Temple Street lies in the ...

The Teochew community is the second-largest subgroup of Chinese in Singapore after the Hokkiens. According to the 2000 Singapore census, Teochews made up 21% of the Chinese population. The community was singled out by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in the book Lee ...

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated in January or February annually. Thaipusam is actually derived from thai which means "10th", and pusam meaning "when the moon is at its brightest". It is thus celebrated when the moon is full in the Tamil month of Thai (between ...

The Baweanese are a significant community among the Malays of Singapore. They were originally from Pulau Bawean (Bawean Island) in East Java and migrated to Singapore in the early 19th century. In the early days, many of them found jobs as drivers and horse-trainers. ...

The Celestial Reasoning Association (1882 - 1885) is considered the first debating society formed by the Straits Chinese, and the earliest literary society for the educated Chinese. Its first meeting was held on 27 May 1882. The society sought to help educated ...

The Chinese Protectorate was established in the Straits Settlements in 1877 to administer the needs of the Chinese community. Its main functions include the establishment of a pool of civil servants conversant in the Chinese language, administering newly-arrived ...

The Farquhar silver epergne, a valuable commemorative gift presented to Lieutenant-Colonel William Farquhar, the first British Resident and Commandant of Singapore (1819-1823), in the mid-1820s, by the first Chinese inhabitants of the island, for his invaluable ...

The Merlion is an imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish resting in the sea. It was created by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) in 1963, and served as its promotional emblem from 1964 to 1997. In a series of

Theemithi (Thimithi) or "firewalking" is done as part of a religious vow in which the devotee promises to walk on fire in exchange for a wish or blessing granted by the Goddess Draupadi. Theemithi is part of a larger ceremony stretching over a two-and-a-half month ...

Trengganu Street, in Chinatown, connects Sago Street and Pagoda Street. Named after the state of Trengganu in Malaysia, the street is unique as it connects four popular streets of Chinatown: Pagoda Street, Temple Street, Smith Street and Sago Street.

Vesak Day, formerly also spelt as 'Wesak Day' until the 1970s, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Siddharta Gautama Shakyamuni (Sakyamuni) Buddha. The day falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month - the month of Visākha in Pali.

The festival Vesakhi (or Baisakhi) is the Sikh New Year falling on 13 April annually, or the first month of the Sikh calendar. It was instituted by the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and commemorates the occasion in which five brave Sikhs offered themselves ...

Warong Nasi Pariaman could be the longest surviving nasi padang stall in Singapore. The stall however is more famous for another reason - its authentic padang dishes led by its beef rendang. A family-run business, Warong Nasi Pariaman has been serving nasi padang ...

A gastronomic assembly that aims to plant Singapore on Asia's taste-buds, the World Gourmet Summit is an annual event that was originally put together by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Peter Knipp Holdings (PKH), with the latter taking over after the second ...

Yusheng (also spelt Yu Sheng) meaning "raw fish" is a Chinese New Year dish, served traditionally on the seventh day of Chinese New Year or Ren Ri ("Everyman's Birthday"). It is a salad dish made of thin slices of raw fish and various spices, mixed with tossing ...

Yue Hai Ching Temple is one of the oldest Taoist temples in Singapore. It was started in 1826 by the Teochew community and is also known as Wak Hai Cheng Bio in Teochew. The present building at 30B Philip Street was built in the 1850s and gazetted as a national ...

Zhong Yuan Jie, or "Mid-Year Festival", also popularly known as the Hungry Ghost Festival or the Feast for the Wandering Souls, is held on the 7th month of the lunar calendar. On the 15th day of the 7th month, families pay respects to their deceased relatives and ...